Homza’s growth at catcher coincides with promotion to A-ball

June 19, 2019
Jonny Homza baseball

Jonny Homza

Jonny Homza of Anchorage continues to move up the food chain in the San Diego Padres organization as the third-year pro was promoted to the Class-A Tri-City Dust Devils after two years in the Rookie League.

The 20-year-old made his name as a incredible infielder but was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB draft to play catcher, hardly an easy move.

But Homza has thrived behind the plate, as his defensive development has fueled his rise up the ranks of pro baseball.

He joined Tri-City for the start of the Class A season and in his first three games has doubled, driven in three runs and thrown out two baserunners.

In 41 games at catcher, he has hosed 22-of-77 base stealers for a .286 career percentage. That’s about average for catchers, but it’s more impressive when you remember Homza has played only 296 innings at his new position.

He owns a .981 career fielding percentage with 25 passed balls.

Homza, of South High fame, has also logged 47 games at second base, shortstop and third base in his pro career. He’s played another nine games at designated hitter.

At the plate, the six-foot slugger owns a .227 batting average and .323 on-base percentage in 99 career games. He has three home runs, 21 doubles and 44 RBIs.

Homza is one of 24 Alaskans to play pro baseball at the Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A and Major League level.

Major League
Marshall Boze P Soldotna
Chad Bentz P Juneau
Chris Mabeus P Soldotna

Triple-A
Tom Allison 2B Susitna Valley
Cliff Anderson SS/2B Kodiak
Alex Jamieson C Anchorage
Joey Newby P Soldotna
Corey Madden P Anchorage

Double-A
Dustin Krug P Kodiak
Jamar Hill OF Anchorage
Chad Nading P Anchorage
Dylan Baker P Juneau

Single-A
Matt Way P Sitka
Jerome Johnson P Fairbanks
Ryan Shaver P Fairbanks
Levi Robinson 3B Anchorage
Trajan Langdon 3B Anchorage
Timothy Stanley 2B Anchorage
Brian Montalbo P Anchorage
Anton Maxwell P Anchorage
Joe Ayers SS Juneau
Toby Staveland P Juneau
Jeff Zitek SS Kenai
Jonny Homza C/3B Anchorage